Kyabram croquet celebrates 100 years

By Rohan Aldous

Nov 7, 2022

Members and friends of Kyabram Croquet Club celebrating the club’s 100 years

One hundred years ago Fitzroy beat Collingwood in the VFL grand final, Billy Hughes was the Prime Minister of Australia and Queensland was the first state in Australia to abolish capital punishment.

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In that same year, on October 31, 17 ladies met at 3pm at the Kyabram Mechanics’ Institute to discuss forming a croquet club.

Last week members and friends of Kyabram Croquet Club met to celebrate the club’s 100th birthday.

Members dressed in period costume and the courts looked festive with picket fencing and decorated with bunting.

Past members, office bearers of the Goulburn Valley Croquet Association and representatives of GVCA clubs joined members for morning tea and a memorabilia display at the clubhouse before moving across to the Kyabram Bowls Club for lunch.

Cast from the past: From left, club members Sue Agosta, Di Smyth, Rayleen McDonald, Tony Potts, Thelma O’Keefe, Mick Sullivan, Margaret Sullivan and Val Mulholland in period costume

The day was a great get-together for past members who hadn’t seen each other for quite a while, and light relief for GVCA members who have endured cancellation after cancellation of events due to the flooding crisis across the region.

The club was pleased to have Kenn Boal, a well known croquet identity and former club member, act as MC for the day’s activities.

Kenn gave a witty and informative opening address to start proceedings.

Campaspe Shire Council Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates was present to run a hoop, a traditional opening to croquet events.

After lunch guests were entertained by Mick Coventry, a very funny and engaging bush poet, whose story-telling and poetry were appreciated by all.

Then followed a launch of a book researched and written for the occasion by club members Margaret Sullivan and Di Smyth.

The birthday cake was cut by club president Val Mulholland and member Annaliese Metzger who has held continuous membership since joining the club in 1988.

The club appreciates the efforts of members, guests, the bowls club, Campaspe Shire Council and all who contributed to making the day a great success.